EDITORIAL

Since 1990, the May issue has included a survey of books published during the previous year. Information for the ‘Books of 1991’ article which appears in this issue has proved particularly difficult and frustrating to obtain. The Bookseller publishes lists of recently published books, but its coverage is apparently limited to those publishers who are British or have British agents, and the accuracy ofthe details must be checked. Publishers’ catalogues would seem to be a good source of information, but a surprising number of publishers fail to send catalogues, even when asked several times. Again, any information extracted from catalogues must be checked and this year, more than the usual number of books which were announced, had their publication deferred until the following year. Perhaps this was an effect of the recession? I t should be pointed out that although this issue appears in May, the typescript goes to the printer in the first week in January, so the book article must (theoretically) be completed by the end of December, and to see some of the books which appear towards the year’s end, a mad dash around London bookshops is necessary. The Library at Kew (already short-staffed) lost its cataloguer early in 1991, resulting in a halt in both cataloguing, and in ordering of books to avert a huge future pile-up. As I rely heavily on the Library’s intake ofnew books, this was a blow. I don’t like to write about any book I have not seen - so here was a problem, especially when the more academic books are rarely carried by bookshops.

I hoped I had found the answer to at least part of the problem by visiting the bookshop of the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley, which stocks a huge range of horticultural and botanical books, both British and foreign. What I had not anticipated was that many of their books are encased in cellophane (understandable in view of the carelessness of some customers) and whereas I would not hesitate to ask for a couple of books to be unwrapped for me to inspect, my list of 47 titles seemed excessive, especially as I was not intending to buy!

I was amazed and saddened by the inemciency which I met from publishers, relating to prices, publication dates, etc. For example, an enquiry (on 2 Jan. 1992!) to an eminent publisher about a particularly expensive book scheduled to be published in 1991, produced the information that it would now appear on 17 Feb. 1992.

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In fact it was published in 1991, but it was only by chance that I discovered this. Similar instances could be cited.

Even when things go well, the following year always brings to light important books which should have been mentioned in the ‘Books’ article, but which I knew nothing about. I t is the realization of the incompleteness of the survey which makes me question its value. Of course, a really complete list, would be far too long, nevertheless, I would like to aim for a better coverage. Perhaps circulating copies of this editorial to publishers would help!

What began as an explanation has turned into a grumble - not what I originally intended. I would be interested to hear from readers whether they actually read the book survey and find it useful, and whether they feel it is worth continuing in the future.

Victoria Matthews

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